Derrick Henry gives Michigan State bulletin board material

Michigan State didn’t have to wait very long to get that “chip-on-the-shoulder” fuel from Alabama.

Crimson Tide running back Derrick Henry, who could win the Heisman Trophy next Saturday night, was interviewed on ESPN’s College Football Playoff coverage on Sunday to preview his team’s Cotton Bowl matchup with Michigan State.

According to Henry, he’s preparing to play “Michigan” in the College Football Playoff.

OOPS: Alabama's Derrick Henry during ESPN interview said Michigan instead of Michigan State……

— angelique (@chengelis) December 6, 2015

Honest mistake or not, it was noticeable enough for Kirk Herbstreit to comment on it after they returned to the set.

Kirk Herbstreit suggests MarkDantonio will have some fun w/ #Alabama RB Derrick Henry referring to #MichiganState as "Michigan" #ItHappens

— Mike Griffith (@MikeGriffith32) December 6, 2015

In Henry’s defense, he did have 90 carries in his last two games alone. It would be understandable if he was a little bit fuzzy on the details. He also grew up in Florida and might not be too familiar with B1G country.

Either way, for a Michigan State defense that stymied Iowa’s dominant rushing attack on Saturday night in the B1G Championship, it very well could set the stage for MSU’s “us-against-the-world” mindset.

Someone tell Derrick Henry Alabama's not playing Michigan in the Cotton Bowl. … And break out another bag of chips while you're at it.

— Nick Baumgardner (@nickbaumgardner) December 6, 2015

The Spartans opened as a nine-point underdog to the SEC champs. That might be enough bulletin board material.